Henderson and White

Wayne Henderson is a National Heritage Award recipient honored for his craftsmanship as a luthier and his renowned finger-style Appalachian guitar playing. His instruments are coveted worldwide and he sports a long waiting list for his guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Sponsored through the National Council for Traditional Arts, the Smithsonian Institute, Office of Arts America, European World of Bluegrass, Chet Atkins International Appreciation Society and numerous individual venues, Wayne has toured broadly in the U.S., Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. His lightening fast, articulate playing style was influenced by Doc Watson and EC Ball, both close friends and neighbors in this musically rich corner where Southwest Virginia meets Northwest North Carolina. His repertoire includes Appalachian fiddle tunes, Carter Family melodies and a few swing and rockabilly standards. He has won more awards at the Galax Fiddlers Convention than any other competitor in its seventy-seven year history.

A singer, fiddler, guitarist and tunesmith, Helen White has toured extensively with Wayne in the U.S. and Europe. Her compositions include works for theater and video projects as well as a Booklist honored recording of original songs for children. Helen is the founder and served as director of the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program at the local and regional level for 15 years, beginning with program inception in February of 2000. This renowned program now serves students in 40 mountain counties in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee introducing them to their musical heritage through small group instruction in the instruments and music common to the region.

Both Wayne and Helen are frequent instructors at major traditional music camps across the country.

About Us

The Highland County Arts Council (HCAC) believes that the arts are essential to our communities. HCAC supports and encourages artists by holding classes, workshops, and camps. We facilitate regular exhibits and performances with local artists and artisans.

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